Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vario?

Pinsent Masons Vario is an integrated part of the wider Pinsent Masons law firm comprising the following services; flexible legal resourcing, diversity and inclusion consulting, legal project management, consulting and technology and managed legal services. Within each of these service lines there are various freelance consultants, freelance legal professionals and employees.

However, all share a common vision of working in a fresh, flexible manner. For details on each particular service, please visit their corresponding service page.

What type of clients work with Vario?

A very wide range! Our client base covers sectors from banking to TMT and infrastructure, and from large multinationals through to public sector organisations. The common thread is that each client is seeking a flexible legal resource to help them meet their challenges.

What is IR35?

IR35 is anti-avoidance tax legislation which sets the rules to make sure contractors working through personal service companies (PSCs) pay the correct tax. The rules are in place to address what HMRC describe as “deemed employment”, where individuals operating through PSCs work like employees and they should pay broadly the same income tax and NICs regardless of the structure they work through.
The first piece of legislation came into force in April 2000. In April 2017 the government introduced the “off-payroll working reforms”, a separate piece of new tax legislation applying to the public sector. This was extended to the private sector from 6 April 2021.

What impact does IR35 have for our flexible consultants?

Responsibility for determining how an assignment should be taxed sits with the end client (which might be either Pinsent Masons or an external Pinsent Masons’ client).

The end client will be responsible for providing a status determination statement (‘SDS’) confirming their IR35 assessment.

For assignments falling inside IR35, liability for income tax and national insurance contributions, payable by operation of the IR35 rules will sit with Vario/Pinsent Masons as ‘fee-payer’ will have an obligation to make the relevant PAYE deductions.

For assignments falling outside IR35, the consultant’s PSC will be responsible for accounting for tax and national insurance contributions as appropriate.

I have a question about how IR35 affects me, who should I contact?

Alongside your usual Vario team contact, our dedicated IR35 team are on hand to provide you with any help and support you may need, or to answer any individual queries. Please do not hesitate to contact them via our IR35 mailbox: [email protected]

What type of clients work with Vario?

A very wide range! Our client base covers sectors from banking to TMT and infrastructure, and from large multinational companies through to public sector organisations. The common thread is that each client is seeking a flexible legal resource to help them meet their challenges.

Are all assignments with clients of Pinsent Masons?

A large proportion of Vario assignments are with Pinsent Masons’ clients, although not all. We also offer assignments within Pinsent Masons’ in-house teams where support is required.

How does Vario Flexible Services Work?

Vario Flexible Services is based on a freelance/flexible model. We are not able to contract with our Varios in an individual capacity; Vario consultants can typically deliver their services through a corporate vehicle, or on a PAYE basis. For more information around engagement options please speak to your usual Vario team contact.

As a successful Vario applicant, you will go through an onboarding process to make sure you are assignment-ready. We will then keep in touch with you and as soon as a suitable assignment opportunity comes through we will let you know. As the assignment opportunities are very much driven by client needs, we can’t guarantee work; however, being as flexible as possible on your side will help us place you into assignments. By the same token, Vario is not an exclusive arrangement, so there is no obligation on you to accept assignments offered to you, and you are free to accept work from other sources. All we ask is that you keep us updated around your availability.

Does the Vario model require me to be exclusive?

No, if you are brought into the Vario bench you will still be able to pick up work from other providers/agencies all we ask is that you keep us informed of your availability so that we can contact you when you become available again.

What's the purpose of the online questionnaire?

To provide insight into an individual’s natural behaviours, style and personality, and their fit for working on a flexible basis. Flexible working requires a different mindset and a particular set of skills and behaviours, and fantastic lawyers might not always make fantastic Vario consultants. This questionnaire will also help you understand whether flexible work might be right for you.

What's the application process like?

In keeping with how we strive to do business, we’ve kept our selection process as simple as possible and focused on getting to know you. We also appreciate the need to move at pace in the dynamic world of flexible legal work, so we aim to reach a decision within one month from application. Candidates are screened at each stage before progressing, and feedback is provided after the questionnaire stage.

Download our process chart

What references will I need?

We will take two professional references from you.